Craig's List 2014 Prospects

[Hank Hill]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

If the Flames sit 4th I wouldn't be shocked to see Burke swap picks with the Isles to gain another pick and then take Ritchie. Huge kid, sounds like he's got decent skills. Closer we get to the lottery and draft day the more I can see Ritchie being picked if Burke can't get Bennett, Ekblad or Reinhart.

I would be shocked. Burke moves up in drafts not backwards, especially when Dal Colle would still be on the board at 4th.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Originally Posted by Hank Hill

I would be shocked. Burke moves up in drafts not backwards, especially when Dal Colle would still be on the board at 4th.

No guarantee he wants Dal Colle. Obviously it's all speculation at this point, but Ritchie seems like a Burke pick. IMO, obviously.

My preference would be to somehow snag Bennett.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Depends what they think Reinhart's upside is.

They have Hamonic, De Haan, Hickey, & Matt Donovan as decent d-men already on the roster under 25.

Pulock was a first rounder last year, Pokka is a highly ranked 2nd rounder from 2012, Pelech is still developing.

If they feel they can help the team up front and have a decent young group of d-men then they make the move.

A little off topic but am I the only one not that impressed with Reinhart, he is good player but is he top 5 pick good. Strong defensively but IMO got walked around by the top offensive prospects at both WJCs, and the memorial cup last year. He doesn't seem to drive much offensively on a good junior team (5th in d-men scoring for the Oil Kings). I think he hasn't developed as much as you'd like a 4th overall to develop, and if you can get another top 5 pick I might do it.

Those guys are under 25... but I don't know how many of them I'd actually call good. The Islanders give up goals like crazy.. some of that is awful goalies... but their defense is terrible.

[Calgary4LIfe]

My guess is that the first 5 picks ranked by the Flames (in no particular order) are: Ekblad, Reinhart, Bennett, Dal Colle, Ritchie.

Maybe Burke was just blowing smoke by saying he doesn't like Draisaitl, or maybe that was the truth.

I like the fact that so many mock drafts are seeing these guys being selected in almost random orders. They are all very unique prospects when comparing to one another.

Reinhart - incredibly high IQ, elite offensive abilities, 200ft game
Bennett - great IQ, great offensive abilities, gritty competitor
Ekblad - big and extremely good skating 2-way defender with a very complete game
Draisaitl - big bodied center with elite playmaking abilities and puck-possession
Dal Colle - Great skating, high IQ, amazing offensive abilities (playmaking and shooting) LW/C
Ritchie - highest ceiling powerforward that loves to play a physical and punishing game, with great offensive abilities

Each guy's skill-set is fairly unique. Each prospect has a particular strength that none of the others possess (at least to that degree).

Each player has the projection of turning into a very good and very important player for the Flames moving forward. I am doing my best to not get too attached to a certain prospect, as I have no idea how the draft will unfold. If I was to guess (and having the Flames picking at 5) here is my worthless mock draft:

Buffalo - Reinhart
Florida - Ekblad
Edmonton - Draisaitl (Trusting Lowe on liking Draisaitl)
NYI - Dal Colle
Calgary - Bennett

Calgary picks Ritchie only if Draisaitl is the player left from the 'top 5' (trusting what Burke says). For those that really don't like Ritchie, this should be very reassuring. For those that like Ritchie, I really don't see the Flames making a mistake with anyone that is available here.

Don't forget wildcards like Nylander, Ehlers, Kapanen (a bit more of a long-shot here) and even Fleury (if a team is particularly found of a defencmen). 2 of the top 5 players may even be available when the Flames select.

[Vulcan]

Yeah, I'm hoping someone in front of us takes Draisaitl. If we pick 4th that will give us one of Bennett, Eblad or Reinhart.

For trading up, I think we could give up one of our prospects rather than another draft pick. Maybe Max, or Knight or Byron or even Sven. I'm not saying I don't like these players, I'm just wondering if we are going to have room for them.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

Yeah, I'm hoping someone in front of us takes Draisaitl. If we pick 4th that will give us one of Bennett, Eblad or Reinhart.

For trading up, I think we could give up one of our prospects rather than another draft pick. Maybe Max, or Knight or Byron or even Sven. I'm not saying I don't like these players, I'm just wondering if we are going to have room for them.

What sort of value would a roster player get in a situation like this? Edmonton, for example, is looking for some veteran roster players. Someone like Glencross or Wideman packaged with our first and one of our 3rd round picks might tempt the Oil into flipping 1sts.

[GreenLantern2814]

I'm sure I'm wrong, but I really have a feeling Reinhart falls to us if we pick at 5. I think everyone will find one thing about another player to like over Sam, and then we have a Sean Couturier situation on our hands.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

What sort of value would a roster player get in a situation like this? Edmonton, for example, is looking for some veteran roster players. Someone like Glencross or Wideman packaged with our first and one of our 3rd round picks might tempt the Oil into flipping 1sts.

Both have NM clauses which I doubt they'd waive to go to Edmonton or any other bottom dweller.

[djsFlames]

Isles beat Buffalo, Vancouver wins in SO. Flames finish 4th last. Draft Bennett.

2015-16:

Baertschi - Bennett - Poirier
Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne

One can hope..

[neo45]

Craig Button's mocks have been pretty weird but awesome from the Flames perspective. Before he mentioned the possibility of Edmonton trading their pick for G Reinhart he predicted that:

Buffalo takes Bennet
Edmonton takes Ekblad
Florida takes Dal Colle
Buffalo takes Draisaitl with NYI pick
Flames get Sam Reinhart

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by neo45

Craig Button's mocks have been pretty weird but awesome from the Flames perspective. Before he mentioned the possibility of Edmonton trading their pick for G Reinhart he predicted that:

Buffalo takes Bennet
Edmonton takes Ekblad
Florida takes Dal Colle
Buffalo takes Draisaitl with NYI pick
Flames get Sam Reinhart

I'd be down for that. Absolutely.

[dammage79]

At the end of the day. If Burke gets a massive boner for Ekblad or Bennett, He will make it happen. I have faith in that. Really boils down to his ability to keep his fingers on the pulse of what the other team may be thinking. And he is one of the best "horse traders" in the business.

It really is too fishy for Burke to straight up to almost deny Draisaitl even existed without reason. Me thinks from that, that Draisaitl may be a prime target for the Flames.

Either way. If the Flames end up picking Fourth, the proverbial left overs from the top three will be a welcome addition to the organization. Whomever that may be.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Either way we, at worst, select at what has been our ceiling (or basement depending on your vantage) in the draft as a franchise anyways.

Team has been awesome to watch. So many have exceeded expectations. The team apparently learned how to draft again. The most exciting kid in college decided this was in fact the team he would make his mark with.

Will everyone continue their current trajectories, most likely not. But I am happier now as a fan than I have been in half a decade.

[Caged Great]

I would be thrilled to select any of the consensus top 5 guys. They are all different types of guys, but each one could be useful in their own right.

[Rick M.]

Hope we start MacDonald in goal on Sunday!

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Hope we start MacDonald in goal on Sunday!

Why, you know he'll probably play the game of his life.

[Hank Hill]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Hope we start MacDonald in goal on Sunday!

McDonald will be showcasing himself for a NHL contract next year since he is a UFA. If you are looking for a loss I'm not sure...

[Ryan Coke]

I think Olivier Roy deserves a look....

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

I think Olivier Roy deserves a look....

This, especially as he is an rfa it makes sense. Any callups left?

[PeteMoss]

In the OHL - Ritchie's team was eliminated in four straight by Dal Colle's Oshawa team (expected result).

Dal Colle and Ekblad are the only big prospects left in the OHL for this year. Guelph has Fabbari but he's seen as a mid-late 1st rounder. McDavid's team is still going as well. London was eliminated but will play in the Memorial Cup as hosts. Ekblad is down 3-2 in his series.

Dal Colle is currently tied 2nd in playoff scoring with 16 points in 8 games but the guy ahead of him has played one more game and has one more point.